With the AHL season kicking off (if that’s the right turn of phrase for hockey) Friday, the Stockton Heat have announced their opening day roster.
Here’s the names and how the lineup may shake down:
LW
C
RW
Andrew Mangiapane
Alan Quine
Spencer Foo
Morgan Klimchuk
Glenn Gawdin
Matthew Phillips
Brett Pollock
Tyler Graovac
Buddy Robinson
Ryan Lomberg
Mike McMurtry
Anthony Peluso
Kerby Rychel
Yasin Ehliz
Oliver Kylington
Kayle Doetzel
Adam Ollas Mattsson
Michael Paliotta
Rinat Valiev
Andrew O’Brien
Cliff Watson
Marcus Hogstrom (injured)
Jon Gillies
Tyler Parsons
There’s no real surprises on the roster. Thirteen of the 14 forwards are under NHL contracts (the lone exception being Mike McMurtry). They currently have 10 defenders listed, but were kind of blindsided by Rasmus Andersson being recalled Friday. The downside of Rasmus being in Calgary is that the right-handed options for Stockton are limited to Kayle Doetzel and Michael Paliotta.
Recent acquisition Matt Taormina, who came over from Montreal in the Brett Kulak trade, is still on the NHL roster as he is currently injured. He will likely be reassigned when he is healthy.
Flames property cut by Stockton include 2017 draft pick RW Zach Fischer, and goalies Mason McDonald (2014 draft pick) and Nick Schneider (undrafted). Again, no real surprises there.
The Heat play Friday against the Oilers’ AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, at 8 p.m. Mountain Time. AHL TV is free for the opening weekend, so check that out. You’ll also be able to watch their Saturday home opener against the Ontario Reign.